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Home › Articles › Toddler Nutrition › Rice, Lentils and Tofu, Oh My!

Rice, Lentils and Tofu, Oh My!

Not-so-common Foods for Older Babies

By Donna Smith

Pages:  1  2  

O'Shea reminds parents not to skip over the rice and oatmeal cereals, and common fruits and vegetables for Baby's first foods, but these "creative options are a great way to expand baby's nutrient intake and taste palate after a couple of months," she says.

And with any new foods, safety should be front and foremost on a parent's mind. "There are some precautions with certain foods; for example, beans can present a choking hazard if introduced too early and if not prepared to a soft and mashed consistency," O'Shea says. "There may be some allergy considerations as well with things like soy or wheat. It's always important to discuss any food with your medical provider before introducing it to your baby."

Foods like tofu, beans, lentils and quinoa, once introduced, can be combined with other favorites to create a healthful and different meal. "For example, try adding carrots and apples to lentils and/or brown rice to create a tasty meal," O'Shea says. Cook them until soft and puree them as you would other pureed foods. "Most of these combinations are best for babies over 10 months old, but always check the individual ingredients to make sure they are appropriate for your child," she says.

After their first birthday, little ones can enjoy smooth nut butters, too, Pirello says. "Skip salt, sugar and spices for now," she says. "They have their whole lives for all that jazz."

ABC Lentils

3/4 cup dry lentils, sorted and rinsed
1/2 cup minced onion
1/2 cup finely diced carrot
1/2 cup finely chopped fresh mushrooms
1 cup tomato sauce
2 1/2 cups vegetable broth
1/2 cup dry alphabet pasta
Salt and black pepper, to taste

In a saucepan, combine lentils, minced onion, diced carrot, chopped mushrooms, tomato sauce and broth. Cover and simmer for about 45 minutes, or until lentils are tender. Add the dry pasta. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes, or until the pasta is tender, stirring occasionally. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Lentils and Brown Rice

Another great recipe for your soon-to-be toddler!

3/4 cup lentils, washed and sorted
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup grated Swiss cheese
1/2 cup uncooked brown rice
4 cups vegetable broth
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
Salt and pepper, to taste

Combine everything except 1/2 cup of the Swiss cheese in a bowl. Pour into a 2-quart baking dish, cover and bake at 350 degrees F for about two hours, stirring occasionally. Uncover and top with the remaining cheese. Bake another five minutes.

Veggie Tofu Scramble

A colorful, healthy meal for toddlers – and the whole family!

1 package firm tofu
1 to 2 stalks celery
Vegetables: carrots, zucchini, onion, broccoli or other favorite
Soy sauce
Cheese

Cut tofu into bite-size pieces. Put into a frying pan with a little oil or water. Cook until lightly brown on all sides. Add a dash of soy sauce to give it a darker color. (The tofu will take on a slight soy sauce flavor.) Add all of the chopped veggies and add water. Put a lid on it to steam. When all of the vegetables are soft top with cheese. Replace the lid to melt the cheese.


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